Tom Tinker's Pony Patter
Tom Tinker's Pony Patter
Probably filmed ca. 1918-19 in Chicago. Commonwealth Pictures Corporation ; Hans A. Spanuth, producer The film appears to be a Spanuth's original vod-a-vil movie given the similarities in title graphics and camera technique to identified Spanuths. Camera iris opens to six ponies with decorated harnesses and plumed halters, standing in the center of a stage with a painted backdrop of mountains. Cuts to a pony on a seesaw. A second pony get on the seesaw with a moustached man in a white uniform with dark piping and a white cap holding their leads. A second trainer in a dark suit can also be seen occasionally with the ponies. A CU of pony's head. Individual ponies perform a variety of tricks, including rolling a slatted barrel across the stage with front legs and then with a nose, knocking over the barrel, "limping" across the stage with one front leg held off the ground, and pushing the trainer over with a nose-butt. Cuts to the six ponies lined up at the back of the stage, with each pony's head lying over the neck of the pony in front of him. Cuts to the ponies prancing around the trainer in a straight radial line and then in various combinations, including three by three, pairs, and singly. The trainer uses a whip to keep the ponies in line. The ponies finish their circling by walking in a straight line to the front of the stage and then bowing on their knees. Cuts to a closeup of the six ponies in a line, facing the camera, which closes in an iris effect to black.